US Marine’s arrest rekindles Okinawa’s anger

Public outcry: Protesters observing a moment of silence for a woman who was allegedly killed by a US Marine in Okinawa during a demonstration in front of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo. — AFP

The arrest of a US Marine on suspicion of robbing and killing a local woman on Okinawa has renewed protests against the heavy Ame­ri­can military presence on the sou­thern island as Japan’s leaders condemned the crime.

The killing could complicate Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s push to strengthen Japanese military on the island and work more closely with the US military.